The University of XXXX School of Dentistry is my first choice among residency programs in Endodontics because my particular interest is in Pediatric Endodontics. I appreciate how XXXX receives many pediatric patients compared to other Endodontic programs. Since I aspire to distinguish myself in research and practice, XXXX would be perfect. I appreciate the rotary system employed at XXXX and how it encourages independent thinking and learning.
I first decided to seek advanced training in Endodontics when I served as an Associate Dentist in my native India, not long after finishing dental school in my country. At first, I was nervous, but with each new patient to which I administered an endodontic procedure, my confidence grew along with my growing passion for this area of dentistry. Soon, I fell in love with the challenge of looking for extra canals, negotiating through calcified ones, and completing challenging cases.
One prominent reason why Endodontics has become the center of my world is that those who need an endodontics procedure often come to the clinic in excruciating pain. I find their gratitude to be the sweetest possible reward. Nothing excites me more or leaves me feeling more fulfilled than alleviating pain sustainably, freeing my patients from acute pain, and saving their teeth simultaneously. Eager to gain as much expertise in Endodontics as possible, I assisted a visiting endodontist in surgical and complicated non-surgical cases. Concurrently, I attended a six-month general practice residency program that gave me one-on-one training with the endodontic faculty to improve my skill further. I was able to perform 250+ RCTs, including primary teeth and retreatments. After four years of clinical practice in India, I moved to the United States.
When I entered the Advanced Standing DDS program at XXXX University, it seemed that the more I learned about endodontics, the more there was to learn. I especially appreciate the support of my mentor Dr. XXXX, Chair of the Endodontics Department at XXXX. As a result of his leadership, I listened to diverse guest lectures by renowned endodontists. Under Dr. XXXX’s guidance, I was privileged to assist with a retreatment case. I also discovered exciting technological advantages, like microscopes, allowing me to perform endodontic treatments more perfectly. Perfection seemed within my reach for the first time, and I gave it my all.
Another highlight of my time at XXXX was performing patient case reviews under the guidance of Associate Professor of Endodontics Dr. XXXX. In addition to his lectures filled with pearls of wisdom gleaned from decades of practice, he also helped me develop in Endodontics by encouraging me to share my experiences as a dentist in India and showing me how to build on those experiences the most successfully. My in-depth exposure to Endodontics at XXXX reaffirmed my dedication to cultivating a lifetime specialization in this area.
For the past two years since graduation, I have continued to learn from the pioneers as part of the online community in Endodontics, AAE, and Endolit, and I have been taking CE courses from the AAE Live Learning Center. as well as participating at the annual meetings of the AAE in 2017 & 2018.
I am also enrolled in pre-specialty Endodontic training at the University of XXXX in preparation for beginning your program on the forefront between Pediatric Dentistry and Endodontics.
Thank you for considering my application.
Pediatric Endodontics Residency Personal Statement